bear
n. countable A2 Elementary Oxford US //ˈbɛɹ// UK //bˈeə// bear
n. a large, heavy animal with thick fur, sharp claws, and a short tail. You might see them in the wild in places like North America or Europe.
n. a large, heavy mammal of the family Ursidae, characterised by thick fur and a plantigrade gait. Usage in financial contexts refers to an investor who expects prices to fall.
The hungry bear searched for berries in the woods.
During the winter months, the bear finds a quiet cave where it can hibernate until the spring arrives.
In a market dominated by bears, many investors choose to liquidate their holdings in anticipation of further price declines across major stock indices.
Usage
The financial sense is frequently used as an attributive noun, as in 'bear market'.